News

Il Research Module 5  del progetto TINCARE NODES - Spoke 5 ha avviato una nuova sperimentazione dedicata all'analisi dell'impatto delle interazioni sociali su stress e performance cognitiva, attraverso l'uso integrato di strumentazione fisiologica non invasiva e compiti digitali gamificati. Nel corso delle sessioni sperimentali, i partecipanti svolgono esercizi mirati allo studio della memoria e delle funzioni esecutive, e come queste vengono influenzate da contesti cooperativi o competitivi. Durante l'attività, vengono registrati i segnali di attività elettrodermica (EDA) e elettrocardiagramma (ECG), utili per monitare l'andamento dell'attivazione fisiologica e delle risposte emotive.  Questa combinazione metodologica consente di studiare come diversi contesti sociali influenzino la regolazione dello stress e l'efficacia nei compiti cognitivi. L'obiettivo finale è la creazione di una piattaforma digitale per la riabilitazione cognitiva, rivolta a persone con decadimento cognitivo, o chiunque voglia tenere la mente in forma, che integri gamification, riabilitazione e principi di neuroestetica per aumentare l'engagement e l'efficacia dell'intervento.    Partecipa anche tu!    Il team del RM5 sta attualmente cercando nuovi volontari interessati a partecipare alle sessioni sperimentali, che si svolgono presso l'Università di Torino.  Per candidarti o ricevere maggiori informazioni, puoi scrivere a: francesca.piovesan@unito.it    

in a demonstration of anatomical knowledge and collaborative spirit, the Students Challenges ''UPO Anatomy Talents 2025'' concluded with great success. The event was conceived and coordinated by Professor Francesca Boccafoschi, leader of the flagship project INNDIANA within the NODES - Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile initiative (Spoke 5 – Health Industry and Silver Economy). On June 6th, at the SIMNOVA center in Novara, young talents from the University of Piemonte Orientale,University of Torino,University of Bologna,University of Cagliari, University of Verona and University of Genova, put themselves to the test in a high-intensity simulation pathway. Activities included virtual anatomy tables, microscopic anatomy tests, challenges on the heart, bones, muscles, splanchnology and even a comparison between artificial intelligence and human knowledge.  The event was not just a competition but a real experential learning lab that gave students the opportunity to: test their theoretical knowledge in realistic scenarios; learning by doing; experience teamwork, time management and stress handling; improve their communication and decision-making skills in complex situations. Winners of the 2025 edition:  🥇University of Piemonte Orientale 🥈University of Verona 🥉University of Torino    The goal of the challenge? To train competent, mindful doctors, ready to face the challenges of the healthcare profession with preparation, empathy and critical thinking. An immersive experience that combined theory, practice and innovation, confirming once again the importance of dynamic and multidisciplinary teaching approaches in medical university education.    Professor Boccafoschi comments: ''This third edition of the talent was particularly exciting! We have optimized various aspects of the organization thanks to past experiences. The collaboration of the other universities also in the organizational phases gratifying to see the surprised and smiling faces of the students, that they find university life engaging and fun even in the moments of training and learning''.    Special thanks for their support go to: Piccin Nuova Libraria S.p.A., Sectra, Anatomage Inc., Zaccanti S.p.A., Wolters Kluwer Italia, and Ceabis.        

An award for the INTEROCOACH project: an innovative teleassistance model for patients with heart failure.      The research team of TINCARE's Research Module 1 received an important recognition at the 5th Congress ''Healthcare Professions in the Cardiovascular Field: Assistance, Research and Training''. Dr. Ines Basso presented the INTERCOACH study, conducted under the guidance of Prof. Alberto Dal Molin, and was awarded the “Best Oral Abstract” prize in the competition held in memory of Elaine Gillian Laws. The study involved 45 patients discha5rged from the AOU Major of the Charity of Novara, after hospitalization for heart failure. The aim is to enhance their ability care for themselves thorugh a six-months nurse-led educational program delivered by phone, integrated with a telemonitoring system for vital signs.  To date, over 120 follow-up phone calls have been conducted and the telemonitoring system has generated more than 200 alarms.  In 44 cases, nursign intervention was necessary, which involved the reinforcement of self-management measures, a more intensive monitoring or the coordination of care by referring the patient to the family doctor of hospital specialist, according to the severity of the situation.  Participant acceptance of the intervention has generally been positive: patients are cooperative and motivated, despite some initial difficulties related to the use of technology, overcome thanks to the active support of the operators.     

Il Research Module 2 di TINCARE esplora nuove strategie per il benessere osteomuscolare   Il gruppo di ricerca Research Module 2 del gruppo TINCARE ha avviato l'arruolamento dei pazienti per uno studio clinico monocentrico volto a valutare l'efficacia della maglietta DZero, un dispositivo medico indossabile di classe I, su soggetti con dolore lombare o cervicale. Coinvolgimento, innovazione e medicina non farmacologica al centro della ricerca.  Con entusiasmo e spirito innovativo, il Research Module 2 dell'Università del Piemonte Orientale ha avviato ufficialmente l'arruolamento dei pazienti presso l'Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria SS Antonio e BIagio e Cesare Arrigo di Alessandria, per uno studio clinico dedicato alla valutazione dell'efficacia della maglietta DZero, un dispositivo medico indossabile di classe I, realizzato con fibre tessili impregnate di nanoceramica.    Lo studio, di tipo pre-post e monocentrico, coinvolgerà 50 soggetti adulti affetti da problematiche osteomuscolari, in particolare lombalgia o cervicalgia, sintomi diffusi che impattano significativamente sulla qualità della vita quotidiana. Il percorso di studio si articolerà in tre momenti principali: una visita iniziale (T0), un follow-up (T1) e una valutazione finale a 30 giorni (T2). In ciascuna fase verranno raccolti dati relativi alla qualità della vita (EQ-5D-5L), al dolore percepito (Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire), al benessere generale (WHO-5) e alla fatica (Borg CR10). Tutti i partecipanti riceveranno gratuitamente la maglietta DZero da indossare quotidianamente durante il periodo di studio, secondo le indicazioni fornite al team clinico.    Un aspetto fondamentale dello studio riguarda anche la raccolta sistematica di dati sulla sicurezza e tollerabilità di DZero, con particolare attenzione all'eventuale comparsa di reazioni avverse cutanee (come rash o irritazioni) e alla durabilità del materiale durante l'uso quotidiano. Trattandosi di un dispositivo medico di classe I, è essenziale documentarne in modo rigoroso non solo l'efficacia percepita, ma anche la sicurezza a breve termine e la resistenza all'usura, in linea con le normative vigenti in ambito medico e regolatorio.  Il reclutamento rappresenta un passo decisivo verso una medicina sempre più personalizzata, orientata al benessere e alla sostenibilità. La tecnologia della maglietta DZero, basata sull'emissione di onde infrarosse lontane da parte delle particelle ceramiche integrate, mira a favorire la microcircolazione e il rilassamento muscolare, offrendo un possibile supporto complementare per chi convive con dolori cronici.  

The approval by the Ethics Committee marks the official start of the experimental phase of the project.   Healthy aging is a crucial challenge for modern society, with an estimated growth in government costs of up to 28.3% of Italian GDP by 2040. The progressive decline of motor and cognitive skills in the elderly population requires innovative strategies; among these, virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a promising tool thanks to its ability to create immersive environments, improving memory, attention and problem-solving, as well as offering psycholosocial benefits, reducing isolation and depression.       In this context, the ''VR-AGEWISE'' project aims to explore the use of advanced visualization devices to assess the effectiveness of using VR on elderly subjects. The main objectives are: to measure its impact on cognitive and motor functions, to analyze the usability and acceptability of the technology, compare cognitive and physical benefits between younger and older individuals, and study the longitudinal effects on cognitive decline progression.     The recent approval obtained from the Ethics Committee marks the official start of the experimental phase of the project. This campaing will be based on the use of digital technologies identified and developed in the first two years of work, with the aim of systematically testing their effectiveness. In particular, the focus will be on virtual reality (VR), assessing its benefits thorugh a direct comparison between different cohorts of participants, young and old. Different cognitive and motor parametes will be analysed to better understand how age affects the response to technology.   In addition to measuring the effects of VR activities, the study aims to collect qualitative and quantitative feedback from participants, which is crucial for perfecting and optimising the usability of the proposed solutions. The ultimate goal is to maximise the positive impact of digital technologies on quality of life by promoting their widespread and conscious use within contemporary society.      

A significant stage, rich in ideas, inspiration and tangible outcomes, enlivened the Rectorate of the University of Piemonte Orientale on April 14th during the event  “Business and Innovation: Springtime for Health and Silver Economy''. The initiative was organized by Spoke 5 of the NODES project as part of the Roadshow dedicated to companies funded through cascade calls.     The initiative, funded by MUR through the PNRR and NextGenerationEU funds, shone a spotlight on innovative solutions developed by companies and researchers to address the challenges of modern healthcare, with a focus on digitalization, artificial intelligence, biomedical technologies and personalized medicine.   Following the institutional greetings by the Rector, Prof. Menico Rizzi, and Prof. Marco Invernizzi, Project Manager of Spoke 5, the audience had the opportunity to learn about the first results of the flagship projects INNDIANA and TINCARE, presented respectively by researchers Dr. Elena Canciani and Dr. Ines Basso. Additionally, Dr. Chiara Caucino, Junior Innovation Manager & Business Development at BioIndustryPark, provided an overview of the cascade funding calls—key tools for supporting innovation within companies.   Great attention was given to the projects funded through the cascade calls: in 4-minute pitches, companies enthusiastically presented their results and prototypes, ranging from assistive robotics to telemedicine, from nutraceuticals for longevity to nanotechnologies applied to oncology.    The event confirmed the strenght of the NODES ecosystem in fostering synergies between academia, industry, and the local territory and in supporting the development of technologies at the service of people, prevention and quality of life.     Stay tuned to the NODES and Spoke 5 to discover upcoming developments in heatlh and innovation.

The Ethics Committees of Ospedale Maggiore della Carità in Novara (coordinating center), Auxologico in Piancavallo (VB), Ospedale Molinette in Torino, Ospedale San Luigi Gonzaga di Orbassano (TO) and Politecnico di Torino have given a favourable opinion on the conduct of the MOVEWISE study in each centre.   The Ethics Committes are independent bodeis that guarantee the protection of the rights, safety and well-being of people involved in scientific research. In italy, any study involving human participants must be evaluated to ensure compliance with fundamental principles, such as those established by the Declaration of Helsinki and the Oviedo Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine. This process guarantees that research is conducted ethically, transparently and safely for all participants. The Territorial Ethics Committees of the five centers involved in the MOVEWISE project have approved the study protocol aimed at developing a wearable system to monitor mobility parameters most closely associated with fall risk in everyday life. The study includes the recording of signals from wearable sensors in cohorts of sixty patients affected by multiple sclerosis (Ospedale Maggiore della Carità and San Luigi Gonzaga), Parkinson’s disease (Auxologico di Piancavallo), and vestibular disorders (Ospedale Molinette), as well as twenty healthy controls (Politecnico di Torino).    

On March 28th, 2025, the Stakeholder Committee of Spoke 5 met virtually to take stock of the progress of the spoke. Here the main points discussed:    Spoke 5 and the objectives of the Stakeholder Committee:  The project manager of Spoke 5, prof. Marco Invernizzi, introduced the NODES project, highlighting the key role of the Stakeholder Committee in defining the objectives and goals of the project, as well as supporting strategic decisions and scientific collaborations.    Flagship Projects: The progress of the flagship projects INNDIANA and TINCARE were presented, in line with the project's timeline and with significant results in terms of scientific publications, studies approved by the Ethics Committee and patent development.   Proof of Concept:  Particular attention was given to the PoCs, both academic and industrial. The high demand for funding exceeded available resources, confirming the strong interest in the themes of Spoke 5. The vast majority of the projects are still ongoing, also in base of the extension requests that were received and approved by the Evaluation Committee. All the projects (both Academic and Inudstrial PoC) financed in the first and second cut-off have successfully passed the mid-term review, both from an administrative, accounting and scientific perspective.    Roadmap: Dr. Anrò of the bioPmed innovation cluster showed the update of the Roadmap, in line with NODES timeline. After an initial draft developed in M3, based on the Intelligent Specialization Strategy (S3) of the Piedmont Region, a final version was launched in  M18 thorugh an online survey aimed addressed to companies.  Now, in M30, the Roadmap is being updated based on the results obtained from the flagship projects and both academic and industrial PoCs, with the aim of integrating new evidence and guiding the next strategic actions.    Events 2025:  In 2025, several events are planned to promote the results of the NODES project:  April: business event for the presentation of projects and first results. (14 aprile 2025 - Vercelli) May: meeting on Academic PoC, with the aim of attracting potential investors. September: participation in the European Researchers' Night. End of the year: HUB NODES concluding events, focusing on the project’s closure and future perspectives.     The concluding discussion highlighted the participants' support for Spoke 5 acivities, confirming their continued interest in NODES initiatives and their future prospects. 

How can telemedicine interventions help improve care for patients with heart failure and their caregivers?    Currently, it is estimated that more than 64 million people worldwide are affected by heart failure, a number that continues to grow. This increase is linked both to the aging population and to advances in disease management, which, however, are making the condition increasingly complex. As a result, individuals living with heart failure require daily support from a key figure: the caregiver. This role can be fulfilled by a partner, a child, a relative or someone close to the patient.    The link between patient and caregiver is so close that they become a single unit of analysis, defined as ''dyad'': any significant change - social, economic of health - that affects one of the two members inevitably ah an impact on the other. International guidelines have long emphasized the importance of a dyadic approach in the management of heart failure, a principle that also applies to telemedicine interventions.  In recent years, telemedicine has taken on an increasingly important role, proving to be a valuable ally in providing care and supporting caregivers, even in the context of heart failure. With the rapid development of new devices, delivery methods and field of application, it is essential to take stock of where we are and what scenarios lie ahead.  Within the Research Module 1 of the TINCARE flagship projects, Dr. Cristian Vairo and Dr. Ines Basso, under the supervision of Prof. Alberto Dal Molin, are conducting an in-depth study on the role of remote interventions in supporting the patient-caregiver with heart failure. The aim is to understand how telemedicine can improve disease management, optimise care and reduce caregiver burden.    

The tenth edition off Meet in Italy for Life Sciences (MIT4LS), the reference event for networking between research, innovation and enterprise, organized by the National Technological Cluster Life Sciences ALISEI at Palazzo Lombardia, Milan, ha concluded. This year the focus was on the opportunities offered by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), a crucial instrument for supporting investments in research and development and for strengthening skills in the life sciences sector.     From research to Business: the state of art  To date, €9 billion have been allocated to accelerate innovation and technology transfer. These resources have enabled the creation of: 5 National Research Centers, focused on gene therapies, supercomputing and big data, agritech, biodiversity and sustainable mobility;  11 Innovation Ecosystem, which promote technology transfer on a regional scale;  14 Partenariati di Ricerca at national level;  6.500 researchers recruited (9.000 including research fellow).  Advantages, Challenges and future prospects were the focus of round table and in-depth discussion, to which they contributes for the NODES - Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile:  Marco Invernizzi, PM Spoke 5 and Francesca Boccafoschi, TTO manager and coordinator of the flagship project INNDIANA Vittorio Trifari, Daniele Conti e Giuseppe Isu, representatives of the companies benefiting from PNRR cascade funding.  The real challenge now is to give continuity and tangible results from the progress made. The innovation in the Life Sciences sector is a strategic asset for the country's future. The future of building now.  Press release

Favorable opinion obtained from the Territorial Ethics Committee (CET) of the Ospedale Maggiore della Carità in Novara on the protocol for the clinical study focused on the potential beneficial effects of the new Class I Medical Device, DZero.    On December 20th, 2024, Research Module 2 of the TINCARE flagship project achieved a significant milestone to move forward with research activities related to the new wearable device, DZero. This important step marks the beginning of an innovative project aimed at exploring the effectiveness of a smart fabric containing nanoceramic particles to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain.   The pre-post study design aims to evaluate the impact of the DZero T-shirt on patients' quality of life, focusing on musculoskeletal pain in the lumbar and cervical area before and after wearing DZero. Among the secondary objectives, the study will examine perceived well-being, comfort and pain reduction during normal daily activities.    DZero represents a significant innovation in the field of medical devices. Utilizing FIR (Far Infrared Radiation) technology, this intelligent tissue uses nano-ceramic particles to improve microcirculation, reduce inflammation and promote muscle relaxation. It is a non-invasive solution that potentially offers an effective alternative for the management of musculoskeletal pain, assuming an improvement in patients' quality of life without the use of medication.  The project will be carried out in a single-centre mode at the SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo University Hospital of Alessandria. data collection will take place in multiple phases, monitoring the effectiveness of the device over time.     The DZero study offers new perspectives for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, representing a step forward in the search for innovative and sustainable solutions for human well-being.

Eye tracking is a technology that records eye movements to analyze where and how a person focuses their visual attention.    Eye tracking is a cutting-edge technology with applications across multiple fields and proves particularly valuable for enhancing user interaction in applications designed for congitive testing. By tracking eye movements - such as fixations (moments when the eye pauses at the specific point) and saccades (rapid movement of the eye between two points) - eye tracking enables the collection of detailed data on users' visual behavior.  In the context of cognitive test applications, this data helps assess key aspects such as attention level, distribution of visual focus, cognitive load, and emotional engagement during task execution. These insights are crucial to understanding how users interact with the test and to identify any difficulties or distractions the could affect their performance.     The integration of eye tracking in cognitive applications offers numerous advantages. For instance, the technology can be used to dynamically adapt test content based on the user's observed visual behavior. If the user shows signs of cognitive overload - such as increased pupil dilation or erratic eye movement - the application could reduce task complexity or suggest breaks to support recovery. Conversely, if the look indicates low interaction or inattention, the system can introduce more stimulating elements to help maintain focus. In addition, the data collected can be used to build personalized cognitive profiles, enabling the monitoring of changes in cognitive abilities over time and comparing individual performance with standardized benchmarks.    From the user's perspectives, the eye tracking integration helps make the overall experience more intuitive and natural. Users no longer need to provide explicit input via mouse or keyboard, as the application can respond directly to their eye movements. This feature is especiallly important for individuals with motor disabilities, for whom eye tracking an effective means of interacting with digital environments. In addition, the automation and real-time analysis of visual data improve the fluidity of the experience, reducing frustration and icreasing confidence in the use of the tool.  

NODES continues to support the SMEs receiving funding (Line A and Line B) by offering tailored strategic guidance in the fields of health and ageing, thorugh a direct dialogue with experts from the BioPmed cluster.   Results of the third session Following previous reports which highlighted projects distinguished by their interest in end-user research and internationalisation, this third session supported four new projects:  YOGA  DPLaBs IAMSH DCAre During the meetings, particular attention was given to: Networking: the projects worked to create strategic networks, identifying industrial and commercial partners to initiate collaborations for pilot projects. This process of research and engagement aimed to promote the practical application of the proposed solutions and their market positioning.  Fundraising: the companies were supported in exploring public and private funding opportunities, essential for supporting technological development, project validation and marker entry.  Looking ahead  These meetings have provided companies with concrete tools to face market challenges, enhancing their capacity to innovate and grow. 

NODES continues its efforts to support SMEs that received funding through the cut-offs by offering personalised 1to1 consulting services. These sessions provides a unique opportunity for companies to engage directly with experts from the BioPmed cluster and receive tailored strategic guidance.    Results of the second session After the first report (available at the following link) which explored the interest of certain projects towards end-user research, this second session covered four other innovative projects: Pocus AI ROBO-HOSPITAL REMEDIO CaReMaM During the 1to1, the following topics were explored in depth:  Internationalisation: the session helped companies to define targeted strategies for strengthening their presence at trade frais, establishing contacts with international partenrs and expanding their global network.  Fundraising: with the support of experts, beneficiaries are exploring opportunities for both public and private funding, which is crucial to project scalability and growth.  These actions represent significant steps towards ensuring the success of projects in highly competitive contexts, offering innovative solutions in their respective fields of application and NODES will continue to share the outcomes of these initiatives, highlighting the contribution of each projects and promoting collaboration among its beneficiaries.    Next news:  The report of 1to1 activities will continue with a last dedicated news, in which further projects and the results of the last session will be highlighted.   Stay tuned to find out how NODES continues to value innovation and to promote collaboration among its beneficiaries. 

Global aging represents an increasing challenge for healthcare systems, requiring innovative solutions to improve the quality of life for the elderly. As part of the collaboration with the TINCARE flagship project of NODES - specifically regarding the wearable technology used in RM3 - a study has been launched at the RSA Belletti Bona in Biella to assess the acceptability of wearable devices among guests.     The project, led by Dr. Erika Bassi with the supervision of Prof. Alberto Dal Molin and Prof. Massimo Canonico, uses smartbadge-type device equipped with advanced sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes to monitor real-time parameters related to mobility, sedentary lifestyle and fall prevention. The data collected are processed using machine learning algorithms, offering a detailed view of the guests' motor patterns, including step entropy, useful for identifying early risk signals.    The study adopts a mixed-method approach combining quantitative and qualitative analysis. While numerical data provide information on the use and effectiveness of devices, semi-structured interviews with guests allow to explore aspects related to comfort, usability and perception of the usefulness of the devices.    The expected outcomes will help to optimise the adoption of wearable technologies in RSA, improving security and promoting more active lifestyles. This project represents a significant step towards personalised and innovative care for the elderly.